Reading our old reviews is like digging up a time capsule. What was I doing back in 2011, when we first wrote up Rubirosa? Apparently hanging out in [Nolita (http://www.theinfatuation.com/new-york/neighborhoods/nolita) a lot and using the word "hip" to describe cool things. "The Infatuation: Restaurant Reviews From Your Dad."

Even though I might not be any more "hip" these days than I was back then, I do like to think that I am at least consistent. All of the things I wrote about Rubirosa in 2011 are true today. This is one of the most consistently excellent Italian restaurants in town. It happens to still be pretty "turnt up" too. (Let's see how well that one holds up in a few years.)

Noah Devereaux

The story at Rubirosa remains the same - two guys named Angelo are responsible for it - one whose family owns a legendary pizza place in Staten Island, and the other a once well-known doorman at The Beatrice Inn. They are now more famous for Rubirosa's vodka sauce pizza than either of those two biographical facts, and for good reason. It's one of the best pies in New York City, and you definitely need to make a trip here just to eat it. But one of the things we love most about this restaurant is that it's not a one trick pony. This isn't just a pizza joint. This is a real Italian restaurant with ridiculously good food, from the antipasti to the pasta to the rainbow cookies at the end of the meal. It's Perfect For Date Night, great for Dinner With The Parents, and there's even an extensive gluten free menu that they've had since the day they opened - way before most of you decided to have Celiac disease. (Let’s see how well that one holds up in a few years.)

As it stands today, the only difference between Rubirosa and some of New York's most classic Italian restaurants is time. I guarantee you that when we dig up the capsule again 40 years from now, this place will still be on Mulberry Street. And I'll probably still be writing restaurant reviews, trying to figure out what the 2044 word for "cool" is.

Food Rundown

Vodka Pizza

This is why you come to Rubirosa. A perfect pie with paper thin crust, amazing vodka sauce, and fresh mozzarella. So incredibly good.

Ricotta Ravioli

A perfect, simple ravioli stuffed with ricotta. The large pasta portions are huge, so beware. Go big if you want, but you're going to be really full.

Duck & Carmelized Onion Bruschetta

An excellent thing to go along with all that pizza. Sweet and savory in all the right places. Get this.

Roasted Octopus

Tender and flavorful like it should be. This is on our table almost every time we visit.